Leaving All For A Hundredfold Return

[Openly Curious]

Mark 10:26--31-- "And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? (vs 27) And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God for with God all things are possible. (vs. 28) Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. (vs. 29) And Jesus answered and said. Verily I say unto you. There is no man that hath left house, or brethren or sisters or fathers or mother or wife or children or lands for my sake and the gospel's. (vs.30) But he shall recieve an hundredfold now in this time houses and brethren and sisters and mothers and children and lands with persecutions and in the world to come eternal life. (vs. 31) But many that are first shall be last and the last first."

Now just prior to the verses here they was a rich young ruler who wasn't willing to let go of his wealth in his heart and he went away sad because of it. Then Jesus turned around and said to his disciples how hardly shall those that had riches enter in the kingdom of God. Then the disciples are all astonished at what he just said. And Jesus said to them further that those who trusted in riches that it was hard for them to enter the kingdom and it was easier for a camel to get through an eye of needle than for them to get into the kingdom.

Then the disciples stunned at what Jesus said and said to one another "Then who can be saved?" and Jesus response was that with God their was nothing impossible and the disciples got to thinking about all this and started realizing hey we have left all in this life to follow you and Jesus begin to tell them that no man has left all and followed him in this life that shall get a hundredfold for doing so and also they would have eternal life as well. Among those things listed were kin, family, wives and children.

Now Jesus specifically said if you left any of these things "for My sake and the Gospel's sake" then you will recieve a hundredfold for doing it. The reason I started this thread is to get others opinions on this because I have heard and seen many who have left or abandoned their families and think that it is right to do so because of this scripture as husbands and wives have used this scripture for biblical basis to seperate and get a divorce based on religious convictions.

I didn't want to necessarily start another divorce and remarriage thread by bringing this up but it does come into the subject matter. So is it right or wrong to leave family and the place you live your kids for the pursuit of righteouness sake or Jesus sake and the gospel's just abandoning the wives and children for a hundredfold. Does this scripture condone divorce or not?

OC

[whirlwind]

I didn't want to necessarily start another divorce and remarriage thread by bringing this up but it does come into the subject matter. So is it right or wrong to leave family and the place you live your kids for the pursuit of righteouness sake or Jesus sake and the gospel's just abandoning the wives and children for a hundredfold. Does this scripture condone divorce or not?

OC

No it doesn't. When Christ was teaching in the story of the camel and eye of the needle He meant being rich with ill gotten gains.

At that time the cities were walled and the main gates closed at night. A small gate was left open and guarded but was only large enough for a man to pass through. His camel would have to be unloaded in order to pass through.....We must unload our ill-gotten gains before going in.

Money meant more to the man in this story than God did. God blesses us, some with riches and some with other things but all are blessings. None of those things should mean more to us than God Himself.

So....my answer would be no, these are not instructions for us to sell everything we own and follow Him.

...........Whirlwind

[Guest Biblicist]

God's plan is clear.

1. God

2. spouse

3. child[ren]

4. service

Putting God first in your life does not mean leaving everything behind physically and going to pursue Him. If you serve him with your whole heart every day then he is first in your life.

I do not believe it was meant that you leave the family God entrusted you with behind to pursue righteousness. Righteousness is doing what is right. That would not be right. He was not telling them to give it up, he was saying that if you do, if you had to, as the apostles had done, you will recieve a hundredfold back what you had given up.

[Openly Curious]

I didn't want to necessarily start another divorce and remarriage thread by bringing this up but it does come into the subject matter. So is it right or wrong to leave family and the place you live your kids for the pursuit of righteouness sake or Jesus sake and the gospel's just abandoning the wives and children for a hundredfold. Does this scripture condone divorce or not?

OC

No it doesn't. When Christ was teaching in the story of the camel and eye of the needle He meant being rich with ill gotten gains.

At that time the cities were walled and the main gates closed at night. A small gate was left open and guarded but was only large enough for a man to pass through. His camel would have to be unloaded in order to pass through.....We must unload our ill-gotten gains before going in.

Money meant more to the man in this story than God did. God blesses us, some with riches and some with other things but all are blessings. None of those things should mean more to us than God Himself.

So....my answer would be no, these are not instructions for us to sell everything we own and follow Him.

...........Whirlwind

Hi whirlwind,

Thanks for your opinion about the scriptures. Also I was aware about how the camel went through the eye of the needle being a small opening in the gate but I never heard it quite like you expressed it in your post in how the owner of the camel would have to unload the goods the camel was carrying in order to pass through the eye. That was a very good picture of how our worldly goods in this world could hinder us from getting into the gates of heaven but when we let the weight of our earthly goods be taken off our backs then the burden will be lifted and we can go through.

Thanks again for your reply very insightful.

OC

[Guest Rapturebound]

What ever we are willing to turn over to the Lord in our lives, God will multiply. Cast all your cares on Him. God, Family, Ministry, Job. God does not want us to abandon our families. He is family orientated, but at the same time He does want the priorities of our heart to be in order. As far as finances, God doesn't mind us being rich. Wealth is needed in the church to spread the Gospel. Again it comes to priority. God wants us to have money, but He doesn't want money to have us. We can not serve two Gods, we will love one and despise the other. That is why the love of money is the root of all evil.

Blessings

[Openly Curious]

God's plan is clear.

1. God

2. spouse

3. child[ren]

4. service

Putting God first in your life does not mean leaving everything behind physically and going to pursue Him. If you serve him with your whole heart every day then he is first in your life.

I do not believe it was meant that you leave the family God entrusted you with behind to pursue righteousness. Righteousness is doing what is right. That would not be right. He was not telling them to give it up, he was saying that if you do, if you had to, as the apostles had done, you will recieve a hundredfold back what you had given up.

Hello Biblicist,

Thanks so much for your input here. I agree with your assessment of the original OP with what you posted. I do not believe a person should abandon their families to follow Jesus and stay gone forever. But in the particular passage I used it said, "For My Sake and the Gospel's" not for Righteousness sake.

I noticed that you said in the part I underlined above in your post that you was saying, "that if you do, if you had to, as the apostles had done, you will recieve a hundredfold back what you had given up." So I was curious to ask you do you think that God causes people to forsake all and follow him and never look back again? While others he never asks this of them. As I do have some thoughts on this myself but I was interested in any of your thought on it if you have any to share.

thanks

OC

[hr.jr.]

Mark 10:26--31-- "And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? (vs 27) And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God for with God all things are possible. (vs. 28) Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. (vs. 29) And Jesus answered and said. Verily I say unto you. There is no man that hath left house, or brethren or sisters or fathers or mother or wife or children or lands for my sake and the gospel's. (vs.30) But he shall recieve an hundredfold now in this time houses and brethren and sisters and mothers and children and lands with persecutions and in the world to come eternal life. (vs. 31) But many that are first shall be last and the last first."

Now just prior to the verses here they was a rich young ruler who wasn't willing to let go of his wealth in his heart and he went away sad because of it. Then Jesus turned around and said to his disciples how hardly shall those that had riches enter in the kingdom of God. Then the disciples are all astonished at what he just said. And Jesus said to them further that those who trusted in riches that it was hard for them to enter the kingdom and it was easier for a camel to get through an eye of needle than for them to get into the kingdom.

Then the disciples stunned at what Jesus said and said to one another "Then who can be saved?" and Jesus response was that with God their was nothing impossible and the disciples got to thinking about all this and started realizing hey we have left all in this life to follow you and Jesus begin to tell them that no man has left all and followed him in this life that shall get a hundredfold for doing so and also they would have eternal life as well. Among those things listed were kin, family, wives and children.

Now Jesus specifically said if you left any of these things "for My sake and the Gospel's sake" then you will recieve a hundredfold for doing it. The reason I started this thread is to get others opinions on this because I have heard and seen many who have left or abandoned their families and think that it is right to do so because of this scripture as husbands and wives have used this scripture for biblical basis to seperate and get a divorce based on religious convictions.

I didn't want to necessarily start another divorce and remarriage thread by bringing this up but it does come into the subject matter. So is it right or wrong to leave family and the place you live your kids for the pursuit of righteouness sake or Jesus sake and the gospel's just abandoning the wives and children for a hundredfold. Does this scripture condone divorce or not?

OC

If God calls you to do a specific work for Him, and your spouse is unwilling to follow; divorce might result. However, the fault lies with the one unwilling to answer the call of God.

[Openly Curious]

Mark 10:26--31-- "And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? (vs 27) And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God for with God all things are possible. (vs. 28) Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. (vs. 29) And Jesus answered and said. Verily I say unto you. There is no man that hath left house, or brethren or sisters or fathers or mother or wife or children or lands for my sake and the gospel's. (vs.30) But he shall recieve an hundredfold now in this time houses and brethren and sisters and mothers and children and lands with persecutions and in the world to come eternal life. (vs. 31) But many that are first shall be last and the last first."

Now just prior to the verses here they was a rich young ruler who wasn't willing to let go of his wealth in his heart and he went away sad because of it. Then Jesus turned around and said to his disciples how hardly shall those that had riches enter in the kingdom of God. Then the disciples are all astonished at what he just said. And Jesus said to them further that those who trusted in riches that it was hard for them to enter the kingdom and it was easier for a camel to get through an eye of needle than for them to get into the kingdom.

Then the disciples stunned at what Jesus said and said to one another "Then who can be saved?" and Jesus response was that with God their was nothing impossible and the disciples got to thinking about all this and started realizing hey we have left all in this life to follow you and Jesus begin to tell them that no man has left all and followed him in this life that shall get a hundredfold for doing so and also they would have eternal life as well. Among those things listed were kin, family, wives and children.

Now Jesus specifically said if you left any of these things "for My sake and the Gospel's sake" then you will recieve a hundredfold for doing it. The reason I started this thread is to get others opinions on this because I have heard and seen many who have left or abandoned their families and think that it is right to do so because of this scripture as husbands and wives have used this scripture for biblical basis to seperate and get a divorce based on religious convictions.

I didn't want to necessarily start another divorce and remarriage thread by bringing this up but it does come into the subject matter. So is it right or wrong to leave family and the place you live your kids for the pursuit of righteouness sake or Jesus sake and the gospel's just abandoning the wives and children for a hundredfold. Does this scripture condone divorce or not?

OC

If God calls you to do a specific work for Him, and your spouse is unwilling to follow; divorce might result. However, the fault lies with the one unwilling to answer the call of God.

Hello hr.jr,

Interesting reply thank you. But your response brought up some thoughts. When you said that divorce might follow are you suggesting that the divorce was initiated by the disobedient spouse or the one who answered the call?

thanks

OC

[hr.jr.]

Mark 10:26--31-- "And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? (vs 27) And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God for with God all things are possible. (vs. 28) Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. (vs. 29) And Jesus answered and said. Verily I say unto you. There is no man that hath left house, or brethren or sisters or fathers or mother or wife or children or lands for my sake and the gospel's. (vs.30) But he shall recieve an hundredfold now in this time houses and brethren and sisters and mothers and children and lands with persecutions and in the world to come eternal life. (vs. 31) But many that are first shall be last and the last first."

Now just prior to the verses here they was a rich young ruler who wasn't willing to let go of his wealth in his heart and he went away sad because of it. Then Jesus turned around and said to his disciples how hardly shall those that had riches enter in the kingdom of God. Then the disciples are all astonished at what he just said. And Jesus said to them further that those who trusted in riches that it was hard for them to enter the kingdom and it was easier for a camel to get through an eye of needle than for them to get into the kingdom.

Then the disciples stunned at what Jesus said and said to one another "Then who can be saved?" and Jesus response was that with God their was nothing impossible and the disciples got to thinking about all this and started realizing hey we have left all in this life to follow you and Jesus begin to tell them that no man has left all and followed him in this life that shall get a hundredfold for doing so and also they would have eternal life as well. Among those things listed were kin, family, wives and children.

Now Jesus specifically said if you left any of these things "for My sake and the Gospel's sake" then you will recieve a hundredfold for doing it. The reason I started this thread is to get others opinions on this because I have heard and seen many who have left or abandoned their families and think that it is right to do so because of this scripture as husbands and wives have used this scripture for biblical basis to seperate and get a divorce based on religious convictions.

I didn't want to necessarily start another divorce and remarriage thread by bringing this up but it does come into the subject matter. So is it right or wrong to leave family and the place you live your kids for the pursuit of righteouness sake or Jesus sake and the gospel's just abandoning the wives and children for a hundredfold. Does this scripture condone divorce or not?

OC

If God calls you to do a specific work for Him, and your spouse is unwilling to follow; divorce might result. However, the fault lies with the one unwilling to answer the call of God.

Hello hr.jr,

Interesting reply thank you. But your response brought up some thoughts. When you said that divorce might follow are you suggesting that the divorce was initiated by the disobedient spouse or the one who answered the call?

thanks

OC

The disobedient spouse.

I know several ministers whose wife divorced them because they entered the ministry.

[Guest Biblicist]

God's plan is clear.

1. God

2. spouse

3. child[ren]

4. service

Putting God first in your life does not mean leaving everything behind physically and going to pursue Him. If you serve him with your whole heart every day then he is first in your life.

I do not believe it was meant that you leave the family God entrusted you with behind to pursue righteousness. Righteousness is doing what is right. That would not be right. He was not telling them to give it up, he was saying that if you do, if you had to, as the apostles had done, you will recieve a hundredfold back what you had given up.

Hello Biblicist,

Thanks so much for your input here. I agree with your assessment of the original OP with what you posted. I do not believe a person should abandon their families to follow Jesus and stay gone forever. But in the particular passage I used it said, "For My Sake and the Gospel's" not for Righteousness sake.

I noticed that you said in the part I underlined above in your post that you was saying, "that if you do, if you had to, as the apostles had done, you will recieve a hundredfold back what you had given up." So I was curious to ask you do you think that God causes people to forsake all and follow him and never look back again? While others he never asks this of them. As I do have some thoughts on this myself but I was interested in any of your thought on it if you have any to share.

thanks

OC

I know a man that accepted Jesus Christ as his personal saviour.

His wife was JW and the teachings of her church are that she could not be married to him anymore because of his belief.

She divorced him.....1 Corinthians 7:15 But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace.

He had no choice but to let her go, and his children. He did it for the sake of Christ. Should have denied Christ to keep his wife and children? I have no idea what his life is like at this time. But I believe that this is what Christ meant. He lost his wife and family for Christ's sake. Not because it was right, that is for sure.

We have a couple at church that lost their family ties when they became Christians. For a long time their parents and siblings would not talk to them. God replaced the family lost with the family of God.

I am sure that, if you asked, you would hear stories like this in every church.